Car-heating apparatus



Jan. i, 1929. 1,697,409

G. F. WENNAGEL ET AL CAR HEATI NG APPARATUS Filed April l. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 1, 1929. 1,697,409

G. F. wENNAGEl. Er AL CAR HEATING APPARATUS Filed April l. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 floor ine Patented Jan. l, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CAR-HEATING APPARATUS.

Application filed April 1, 192.

The invention relates to heating apparatus for electrically propelled cars.

The principal objectof the invent-ion, generally stated, is to provide a car heating a appara tus en'nbodying` resistance elements located'within the car and capable of being employed in place of some or all of the usual start-ing rheostats whereby the heat generated by the passage of current through the relU sistance elements may be utilized for heating the interior of the car instead of beingwasted by dissipation into the atmosphere as is the case when the ordinary exterior-ly arranged rheostats' are used. Unless some means is provided for conserving the heat generated by the passageof cur'- rentethrough the rheostats', there is a great loss of energy and, obviously, a tremendous expense Wlnch should be avoided. It has been calculated that the energy consumed by the-rheostats constitutes as 'highasfltb'y or more of the total amount used and it is readily understood that this' is `a dead loss under ordinary conditions where the extel riorly arranged rheostats are used.

It is with the above facts in View that wei have designed the present invention lWhich has'for an important object the provision ot heaters adaptedto be mounted in anyflde sired locations Within a car, as forninstance beneath or near the seats, theheaters ernbodying resistance elements which may be grouped in any desired or necessary manner to possess approximately the same. ohmic 're sistance as the eXteriorly located rheostats,

the apparatus or system embodying means whereby the exterior rheostats'or the said resistance elements may beselectively used, dc-Y pending upon t-he season of the year or'the temperature of the atmosphere.

Another object of the invention is t opro-,

vide a car heating systemk or apparatus in which it will be unnecessary to provide aux-v iliary heaters or any other than the ones embodying the resistance elements which are usable in lieu of the conventional-exteriorly located rheostats` at least underordinary circumstances1 there being l1owever,no restriction as to the employmentof additional ones if found necessary or advisable, as for instance in very cold climates.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a heating apparatus embodyingT a very simple switch arrangement or control device readily operable by the motorman or Serial No. 99,137.

conductor for throwing the resistance elements of the heaters, or the exterior rheostats into the circuit, as the case may be, it being clear that the use of the lat-ter would probably be preferable in summer or at any other time when the temperature of the atmosphere is suiliciently moderate to render heat unnec! essary. I

Yet another object of the invention is to provide'a heating apparatus for electric'cafrs ofthe type equipped 'With motors at the frontand rear, thearrangement of the circuits and apparatus rbeing such las not to 'nterferein any Way with thecstoinary energization' and action of the motors,it'beingfurthermore unnecessary to 'change the ,controller mecha! nism, or ythe usual Wiring other than by addingthereto. j.,

Another objectief the invention is tOfPQ-f vide a car heatinga paratus embodyingrcsistan'ce'elemen'ts located Iwithinv .the carand' so connected and arranged 4with'respect to the usual c'ircuits'f'andl a Qr'na'nually dperable' control ineans that 'any desired number of the 'resistance elements vmaybe' thno'wninto thel circuit to replace only. ,a vPart of tthe "exteriorly located lrheos'tatdevices, it"bei ng consequently possiblet'o modifyor temper' the 'heating action as would be desirablein` mildweather. if

A stillfurther object ofthe inventionis to provide a heater which conveniently be arranged to replace the ordinaryzfo'ot rest, the .heater possessing certain mechanical features: which will permit it to be mounted in this'manner, the'a'rrangement, being furthermore such that the individual heaters are grounded for the purpose fproviding a clear. path incase of,a; short circuit, dander of fire` or personal injury from this cause sequently eliminated; f l A An additional objectt offthe inventionis to provide an electric c ar heating apparatus of this character which maybe installedat small cost and Withoutmaking any material 100 alterations Yin the car striicture, and ivlii'chg will effect a lvaluable saving in energy, there#- by reducing the cost of operation. i To the attainment of 'the foregoing and other objects andadvantages as -will here- 1.05

inafter appear, the invention preferably consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be moreifully described and claimed, and illustrated in: the accompanying drawingsin which:

Figure 1 is a diagram showing the arrangementof the resistance elements in the heating devices with respect to the usual circuits,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical cross section through a car showing a convenient manner of mounting the heaters,

Figure 3 is a detail elevat-ion of one of the heaters, parts being broken away and in scction,

Figure 4 is au end elevation of one of the heaters,

Figure 5 is an end elevation of a slightly modified form of heater.

Referring to the drawings in detail the numerals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 designate the conductors of the usual wiring system which lead from the controller and with which are connected the motors, not shown, and with the respective ones of which are connected leads 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 which, under ordinary circumstances, connect with the resistances or units 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 which constitute the starting rheostat or rheostats which are customarily located exteriorly of the car body, generally beneath the same. The manner in which the successive resistance units of the rheostat device may be eut into or out of the motor circuit is immaterial to"^a proper understanding of the present invention especially as it is well known that the control is effected by means of the ordinary controller operated by the motorman.

In carrying ont the present invention we provide any desired number of suitably constructed heaters adapted to be mounted at any prefered locations within the car body, each of the heaters embodying any desired number of resistance elements or units 20 oonnected in any desired manner, itl being preferable that the resistance elements of -several heaters be connected tp form groups represented in the diagram by the numerals 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25, the number of groups conveniently corresponding to the number of resistance units in the exterior rheostats. To preserve the same a'ction regardless of whether the exteriorly arranged or interiorly located resistances be used, it is desirable that the ohmic resistance of the units or elements in the groups 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 correspond to that of the units 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19.

In order that the motorman or other operator may use either set of resistances at will, depending upon temperature conditions or other circumstances, we provide switch means which we have illustrated, diagrammatically, as conveniently consisting of two separate switches 26 and 27 which may be of the double throw knife type, the number of poles of course depending upon the number of groups of resistances. In at least one standard form of control there are two exteriorly located rheostats, one of which includes three units and the other of which includes two units, as illustrated in the diagram though it should be. understood that there absolutely no restrict-ion in thisrespect. as the invent-ion is equally Capable -of application to other systems or arrangements. the sake of illustration tht` switch 26 shown as having four poles with which the respective leads S, 9, 10 and 1l are connected, it being clear that the usual directv connect ion of these leads to the exterior resistanees must be broken. This switch may -further include contacts 2S, respectively connected with the successive units 15, 16 and 17, and other contacts 29 with which connect conductors 30 connected with the successive groups 21, 22 and 23 of the resistance elements in the heaters. The switch 27 is in the present instance shown as having three poles and includes contacts 31 respectively connected with the successive units 18 and 19 of the exterior rheostat. The switch 27 also includes contacts 32 from which lead conductors 33 connected with the respective groups 24 and 25 of resistance elements in the heaters. Any equivalent`switeh mechanism or st-ructure may of course be provided.

In the operation, it will be seen that when the switches 26 and 27 are thrown to engage the contacts 28 and 31 the exteriorly arranged resistances 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 will be thrown into the vcontrol circuitso that the action thereof will be the same as usual and this would be done whenever it is undesirable to supply heat to the interior of thecar, as for instancein summer time. When the switches are thrown to engage the contacts 2.) and 32 the outside rheostats are cut, out entirely and the groups 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 of inside resistances are thrown into the control circuit so that lwhen the controller is operated in the usual manner for regulating the motor speed the groups of resistance units in the heaters will have current pass therethrough in exactly the same manner as when the exterior rheostats are used. It will be observed that all the heat from the resistances is utilized, .thereby obviously effecting a great saving in energv consumption as it is probable that these heaters will be entirely suicient `to eli'ect heating of the car, except possibly in very severe weather or in unusually cold climates, in which case the rheostat heaters may be supplemented by auxiliary heaters of a regular type. If desired, one of the switches may be thrown to include the exterior rheostats in the circuit while the other is thrown to include only a few groups of the inside resistances in the circuit and in this way it is apparent that the heating effect may be controlled in accordance with tem.- perature conditions.

From a mechanical viewpoint, the. heaters themselves may be of any desired construetion suitable for the purpose. Nevertheless, we have, in Figures 2, 3 and 4 illustrated a For Utl

specially designed heater which will be found extremely advantageous for the purpose, it being` possible to mount these heaters at any desired location, but preferably to take the place of the usual foot rests located below the seats. Referring to these figures in detail, we have shown the heater as comprising an elongated body 34 of metal, preferably ahnninuni, this body being capable of formation as a casting. 'lo increase the heating surface thc body is preferably ribbed or corrugated throughout at least the major portion of its length as shown at 35. Any desired number of the resistance units 20 may be' arranged within the body which may be cored out as indicated at 36, or cast solidly around the unit or units. or otherwise formed for the reception thereof. In the form illustrated in Figure 4 there are tWo heating units disclosed which have their terminals 37 con nected with metal bridge strips 38 to which theleads are connected as indicated, the purpose of this arrangement being to connect the two units in parallel. A single unit may he provided as in 'Figure 5. 'The-[exact nature of the unit is immaterial as it may be spe'ially designed or may be one'of a'variety on the market. a

In order that theheater may be mounted in a simple manner, it shown" as provided at one end'withaipojectionl39 adapted to fit within a socket 40 commonly provided in the seat pedestal or bracket 41 for mounting one end of the usual foot rest, which must of course be removed. The other end of the body of the heater is represented as of a somewhat shell-like construction to provide a chamber 42 within which the terminal connections, bridge strips, etc., are enclosed, this chamber being subsequently preferably filled with some sort of insulating material which will embed the parts. This end of the body is preferably provided with laterally extending apertured ears 0r lugs 43 so that it may be bolted in place against the metal plate 44 located against the inside of the car body near the floor. This same end of the heater is provided with a ledge 45 which engages upon the upper edge of the strip 44 for brac-ing and anchoring the heater in place. and taking the strain off from the securing bolts. The reason for this construction is that the heater serves as a foot rest and in ordinary service it is subjected to considerable Weight and rotative strain. The plate 44 is grounded onto a truck so that in case of a short circuit within the heater a. free and unobstructed path to the ground will be provided, thus practically, if not entirely, eliminating danger of fire or personal hazard.

In Figure 5 we have shown a slight modification of the heater, and referring thereto it will be seen that the heater body 46 is provided at both ends with spaced ears 47 apernured for the passage of guard rails 48 which may, in actual practice, be suitable lengths of pipe. These guard rails extend longitudinally of the heater body and are intended for the purpose of preventing passengers from placing their shoes directly upon the fins or ribs of the heater body. Onc advantage is that wear on the hea-ter body itself will be prevented and another is that there will be no danger of burning or otherwise injuring or defacing the shoes of the passengers placing their feet upon the heaters.

The above described mechanical construction of the heaters is only by way of illustration, as is the mounting` inasmuch as a different construction and arrangement may be followed. Clearly, it is not necessary that the resistance elements be connected in parallel and there is no limitation desired in this respect. Likewise, as many or as few of the resistance elements may be grouped together as may be found proper so that the ohmic resistance in the groups thereof will correspond to the resistance of the corresponding units of the exterior rheostats. Furthermore,A While we have shown and `described 'thepreferred embodiment of the invention, wev reservethe right to make all other vchang'es'andmodifica tions as will Widen the field* of utility and increase the adaptability'of the structure and apparatus, provided such-'f variations con# stitute no departure' from-the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

Having thus described the invention, we claim:

1. A car heater comprising an elongated metallic body with a radiating surface, a resistance element located within the body, means for mounting the body beneath the seat of a car, said means including a projection at one end of the body adapted to fit within the usual foot rest socket in the seat pedestal, and attaching ears at the other end of the body adapted to be secured against the metal plate provided on the car Wall near the floor.

2. A heater for a car having seats, se'at pedestals each provide-d with an opening for the mounting of a foot rest, the car further having a. metal plate on its Wall near the Hoor, the heater comprising an elongated metallic body adapted for disposition beneath a seat and provided at one end with a projection adapted to be received within the foot rest socket, the foot rest being removed therefrom., attaching ears on the other end of the body adapted to be bolted to said metal plate, said second named end of the body having a ledge engaging flatly upon the upper edge of said metal plate, and a resistance element mounted within the body and constituting a heating unit upon passage of current therethrough.

3. In a car having a metal plate secured against the Wall adjacent the floor, and having a seat with a pedestal below the same at the end most remote from the wall, the 'pedestal having a. socket therein, a heater comprising an 4elongated metallic body constituting :1. radiating member and containing a heating unit` a projection extendingfrom one end of the body and ittingw'vithin said socket, and means at the other end of the body secured to said metal plate, said body further serving :is a. foot rest.

4. In a. ear having a metal plate secured :1 gainstl the wall adjacent the floor, and, having :1. seat. with a.' pedestal'below the same at the. end most remote from the wall, the pedestal having a socket. therein, a heater comprising an elongated metallic body constitutinga. radiating member and containing a-heating unit, a. projection extending from one end of the body and fitting Within said socket, and means at the other end of the bodysecured to said metal plate, said body further serving as a foot rest., said projection being eccentric with respect to the end of the body whereby the heater may be mounted ata relatively low position.

5. In an electric motor car heating system. exteriorly located rheostats, aplurality of heaters located beneath the car seats, resistances located within the heaters and adaptedto serve as control rheostats for the propelling motor of the car, andv switch means for selectively cut.t.ing.a..selected number of the exterior rheostats or said resistanccs into or out of circuit.

6. .In an electric motorcar heating svstenn exteriorly located rheostats, a plurality ot heaters located beneath the car seats, resistanees located within the heaters and adapted and arranged to serve as control rheostats for the car motor, and switch means for selectively cutting theexteror rheostats or said resistances into or outof circuit, said switch means being operable to permit certain ol the exterior rheostats and interior resista-nces to remain in the circuit at the same time.

7. In a heating system for an electric car having a propelling motor and control rheostats therefor loca-ted exteriorly of the car, said exterior rheostats being arranged in groups, a plurality of heaters locate-d within the car and arranged in groups having an ohmie resistance corresponding to that. of the respective groups of exterior rheostats, and switch means for selectively throwing all of said heaters or all of said exterior rheostats into the motor circuit or for throwing a combination of the rheostats and heaters into said circuit. 1'

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures.

GEORGE F. VENNAGEL CARROLL THOLIAS. 

